Drowned in September 2011 plus playlist picks by Drowned in Sound.

Founder of UK-based music community and alternative music authority, Drowned in Sound, returns with his playlist featuring this month’s release highlights of an indie-rock/electronic slant, plus provides a hand-picked selection of playlists he’s enjoyed.

Drowned in September
September is a strange month. In the UK festival season is coming to a close and students are about to get their loans, which means a swag bag full of quality releases. There’s the heart-stopping elegance of St Vincent’s new album Strange Mercy (front-runner for my album of the year!), the return of that sea-sickness sneezing bourbon surfer Tom Waits, the soaring softness of Apparat, New Look’s glorious future-pop debut LP and the small matter of a new album from Feist. That’s not to mention a Patti Smith greatest hits, Jesus & Mary Chain re-issuing their records and some album called Nevermind having some anniversary or other. Click here to hear this playlist

Recent Playlist Picks

Record Label Love
Amidst the scenes of hooded hoodlums ransacking UK high streets last month, there were shots on the news of a huge warehouse burning in the north London suburb of Enfield. I woke up to discover that this was the SonyDADC depot, which houses PIAS who distribute records for 200+ independent labels including XL, Domino, 4AD, Ninja Tune, Warp, Chemikal Underground and also my DiS label. Whilst in shock, and aware that something needed to be done to help, I set-up http://recordlabellove.com for a series of ‘developer challenges’ to create web apps and useful tools to help music fans support the independent music community. Meanwhile, I made this playlist featuring some tracks by some of my favourite acts on the affected labels. And you can find playlists for the individual labels here.

Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails)
With Spotify finally arriving in the US, it didn’t take long for the uncrowned king of social media to share a link to his profile, which features playlists like (real men wear) Parachute Pants (Gary Numan, Soft Cell, Human League, Talk Talk) and also this great NIN set change playlist from their farewell tour that has everything you’d expect Trent to blast at his fans before a show, ranging from David Bowie and Bat for Lashes to M83, Magnetic Fields and Peaches .